T500 with gsx-r 1100 swingarm

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:48 am

I was wondering if anybody has ever seen newer swingarms placed onto the t500 frame. I have a 1970 and a 95 swingarm and was thinking of just welding some brackets to make it fit, as the stock swingarm is about 1 1/2inch skinnier. This way I can run a fatter tire in the rear..

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Zac

Zook-e · Post by **Zook-e** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:02 am

I haven't seen anyone do that, but they have been monoshocked. Anything is possible. There is quite a lot of fabrication expertice on the board.

Be patient and I am sure some neat ideas will come from the members.

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:06 am

sweet thanks...

i just dont see what the issue would be?

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:23 am

This is just an idea you also persue, if you could find a swingarm that has the open box end design. This way if its too long, a simple cut of the ends off and making new slotted axle holes in the extrusion further up will allow you to shorten it with NO welding to that section. Then a simple slide of the inner blocks up to the new holes you made will have your axle all located.
You will naturally still have to put on the lower shock eyes if you plan on using a standard twin shock setup.

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:01 am

well ive decided to weld a bracket in for the suspension onto the frame to create the monoshock. I've found a stretched gsx-r 600 swingarm that im going to weld some brackets for. I think im going to place them right behind the rear footpegs(was thinking of cutting those off completley, but I need it for the exhaust to mount up). It'll stretch the bike out about 6 inches all together...but the problem I seem to be running into is spacers for the front sprocket due to chain placement. Then I'm putting a new front rim/tire on to add hydraulic brakes all the way around.

I know it will take some time.....but I think it'll look pretty cool and be different!

<a><img></a>

heres a link to a picture

check it out and tell me what you think

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=21141224

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:08 am

Honestly, and its just my opinion, thats a bit 'too much' physical swingarm for such a small bike as the Titan without altering more of the bike itself to enhance the proportions of that part.
How about a GS500 swingarm like this one, you'll also need the mono shock and linkage if you choose to go that route.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-Suzuk ... ccessories

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:15 am

good point....I just have all of this stuff already...and a SUPER low budget....im sort of giving it the dropped and stretched approach...I had one cafe style but i want this one different

krwalsh · Post by **krwalsh** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:24 am

A few things to think about:

T500s used for racing generally end up using swingarms that are even shorter than stock. Stretching it out is not going to help in the handling department. Second, a wider tire is not needed for a bike that size and power, and is also going to negatively impact handling. Finally, as was commented above, you've gone down a path of putting an incredibly stiff swingarm into a frame that is a comparative wet noodle. You should seriously think about additional braces for the frame, most notably from the swingarm bracket up toward the head tube as close as you can get without wedging the engine in there permanently.

Please don't take my comments negatively, just trying to help you achieve what I think you are after. Think of the project more holistically, instead of just the parts you have on hand. I do like the idea above regarding the GS500, but maybe take it a step further and consider the aluminum frame as well as the swingarm. If I am not mistaken there have been successful swaps of the GSX-R swingarm into the GS500 frame for racing, so you could keep some of the parts you already have.

Hell, there is a GS500 frame on evilbay right now with a BIN at $99.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0329161567

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:15 am

good points everyone..!!! thanks for all the input...

im going to be racing 1/4 mile though, also considering struts instead of the shock. braces are going to be applied.

you are all a big help and I'm glad I found this forum!! I thought I was the only one out there looking for info on these bikes!!

Thanks!

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:40 pm

You can do anything if you are determined enough. A few random thoughts.

OK, so you're think custom bike, use up the parts you already have, long slammed look, maybe take it to the drag strip for fun, so why not.

For a street custom, sure the long low fat tire look is fun if not very practical.

For a drag race bike it's balance of power against weight and other drag and that is way too much rubber for that little motor.

Play with the idea some more and try using photoshop or similar image manipulation tools to stick bits of other bikes on yours to see how they might look.

I have no idea what class you would run it in, probably bracket racing I guess, in which case consistency is the key and the rest doesn't matter.

That brace is really chunky and the back of the bike will look a little over powered - too much junk in the trunk - out of proportion. You might see if you can get either GS wheels or katana which are wider than stock but not too outrageous.

If you want the fattest rear tire available ( at the budget price of free) then think about using that wheel but with a less chunky swingarm to draw attention to the wheel and away from the frame-swingarm interface which will look out of balance.

Grab some pics off the net of drag bikes or the type of bike you like the look of and play with the ideas. Maybe a smaller tanks and skinny wheel with a single disk for the drag look. Longer seat with rear hump.

Maybe cut the subframe tubes off above the swingarm pivot and "push" the lower rail up to say 6 inches below the seat rail for a more modern empty rear end look. Imagine what an 09 gsxr subframe would look like on you bike and use that welding set to fabricate something that follows those lines. Or chop the whole back end off and use that alloy subframe I saw in one of your pictures

This GT750 has an R1 subframe cut off a damaged 98-99 model
http://pinkpossum.com/gt750/images/dreaming.jpg

Suzukidave has fitted a complete GSXR back end on the yellow peril and is stuffing a GT750 motor into an SRAD chassis.

If it's a rolling advert for your shop, quality of workmanship will be important.

What about slipping that motor into a different rolling chassis. It might go in that mini ninja for example.

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:10 pm

that's true....i never thought about putting it into the ninja frame...that frame is for sale though and people are bidding on it. I was definitely thinking the idea of a can-o-tuna rear tire....and the sub frame idea is good as well. I was also thinking of putting the plastics from a gsxr1100 on the tail end...but IDK yet.

Definitely is going to be an advert for the shop!

thanks!

ps any idea where i can find some really cheap chambers?

Zook-e · Post by **Zook-e** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:55 pm

The direction I am going in with one of my T500s is to use a GS500 front end and shortened rear swinger and its monoshock assy.

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:26 am

why does everybody change the front end? Is it because of disc brakes?

zrs1919 · Post by **zrs1919** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:41 am

anyone know of a good set of chambers and where i can get them for the t500?

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:42 am

Sadly a Titan front end is just plain not up to the task of stopping and controlling the engines power. Its travel is very limited, worse for the T series forks, dampening is non existant and the brakes painfully inadequate.
Even the GT single disc does not work well, and if you wet it, it never works.

T500 with gsx-r 1100 swingarm

T500 with gsx-r 1100 swingarm

A few comments